In the Leaders Summit on Refugees this week, President Obama shared that letter with the world leaders that had gathered together to discuss what they could do to solve the global refugee crisis. The humanity that a young child can display, who hasn’t learned to be cynical, or suspicious, or fearful of other people because of where they’re from, or how they look, or how they pray, and who just understands the notion of treating somebody that is like him with compassion, with kindness -- we can all learn from Alex.

Our Center for Self-Sufficiency & Housing Assistance's Rental Assistance Program (RAP) -- which provides case management and rental assistance for those who are behind on rent or are experiencing homelessness -- is opening the phone lines for enrollment on Friday, September 23rd.

This program serves Bernalillo or Sandoval County residents that are currently being evicted from their apartments or homeless. Individuals must meet additional qualifying criteria, as outlined in our RAP Program flyer below.

To receive a phone screening, interested individuals should call (505) 724-4611 at 8am (MST) o’clock on September 23rd and leave their name and phone number, as clearly as possible, on our answering machine. Within 1 to 2 weeks, our staff will call back for a pre-screening over the phone to determine eligibility.

August means many things but for many it is the “unofficial” end of summer as the school year begins. Catholic Charities has been busy over the summer supporting newly arrived refugees and homeless families that enter our Self-Sufficiency program. Traditionally, we support the children of our families by providing a backpack stuffed with much needed school supplies.

Every parent and grandparent knows how expensive all these supplies can be. From calculators to binders, these items quickly add up! Our families are on a very tight and limited budget, Catholic Charities finds that by providing these needed school supplies, families can focus on paying their other bills and then experience the blessing of sending their children off to school ready to learn with confidence and pride.

We would like to thank St. Jude Thaddeus Parish, Our Lady of Annunciation Parish and the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS) in Los Lunas for their kindness and generosity. Fr. Tien-Tri Nguyen, Pastor at St. Jude Thaddeus, went out of his way to coordinate the delivery of 70 backpacks directly to Catholic Charities. Their parish youth group, coordinated by Lori Ortiz, helped to collect and sort the needed school items. Our Lady of Annunciation Parish had the Catholic Charities truck on site over the weekend. Parishioners brought school items to Mass over the weekend and loaded up the truck for a special delivery. After receiving a call to support newly arrived refugees, we were contacted by the LDS Church in Los Lunas who wanted to support the back to school drive. With our wish list in hand, the LDS women’s group set out to find the needed items. Last Friday, boxes of school supplies were delivered just in time for our back pack extravaganza.Our gratitude continues with our amazing volunteers and St. Pius students who helped us to sort, organize and create a special backpack for each child. To learn more about the back to school drive and how to support families in our community, please contact Kathy Freeze, Faith and Community Liaison, at freezek@ccasfnm.org or at 505-724-4698.

Our Center for Self-Sufficiency & Housing Assistance's Rental Assistance Program (RAP) -- which provides case management and rental assistance for those who are behind on rent or are experiencing homelessness -- is opening the phone lines for enrollment on Friday, July 15th.This program serves Bernalillo or Sandoval County residents that are currently being evicted from their apartments or homeless. Individuals must meet additional qualifying criteria, as outlined in our RAP Program flyer below.

To receive a phone screening, interested individuals should call (505) 724-4611 at 8am (MST) o’clock on July 15th and leave their name and phone number, as clearly as possible, on our answering machine. Within 1 to 2 weeks, our staff will call back for a pre-screening over the phone to determine eligibility.

Join us in solidarity with Catholic Charities USA to support the people of Puerto Rico by urging your Senator to support Puerto Rico debt legislation.

The bill before the Senate represents the best opportunity to give the people of Puerto Rico the space needed to restructure their debts and begin the process of rebuilding their economies. Follow this link to act today: http://bit.ly/puertoricodebt

If you are a parent or guardian of a student who receives free healthy lunches during the school year, learn about the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Summer Food Service Program.

The USDA is working with states across the county to provide nutritional meals to kids and teens during the summer. Meals and snacks are also available to persons with disabilities, over age 18, who participate in school programs for people who are mentally or physically disabled.

O God, in whom we live and move and have our being, grant us sufficient rain, so that, being supplied with what sustains us in this present life, we may seek more confidently what sustains us for eternity.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.(Roman Missal)

Image courtesy of KOB.com

ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Archbishop John C. Wester issued the following statement regarding the Dog Head Wildfire affecting portions of Bernalillo and Torrance Counties:

“I pray for all those in harm's way and for all first responders and volunteers fighting the fire. The Archdiocese of Santa Fe joins all in prayer and stands ready to support in any way those who are affected by this emergency.”

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About Catholic Charities

Our mission is to put faith in action to improve the lives of those in need. We provide services to promote self-sufficiency, strengthen families, fight poverty and build community. As the local 501(c)3 affiliate of Catholic Charities USA, we remain dedicated to finding solutions to some of the most pressing social challenges individuals, children and families face regardless of race, religion, color, country of origin, disabilities, age or sexual orientation.